Vertical cable car under construction in Brighton, UK

Popular English tourist spot Brighton will soon gain a new landmark to join its famous pier. The same team responsible for the London Eye ferris wheel has started work on a large-scale observation tower dubbed the Brighton i360. The observation tower will feature a large glass pod that offers views of up to 30 miles away (48.2 km) on a clear sunny day.

Designed by architecture firm Marks Barfield, the Brighton i360 comprises two primary sections: a large tower, and a pod shaped a bit like a futuristic glass doughnut. Over the course of a 20 minute journey, the pod will ascend the tower to reach a height of 138 m (452 ft). According to Marks Barfield, the pod climbs the tower using the same basic mechanism that's used in a standard cable car.

There will be enough room for up to 200 visitors to stand side-by-side inside the pod, and a small bar and entertainment system is on board. A large restaurant, retail spaces, an exhibition space, and conference spaces are planned for ground level.

Some sustainable technology is also slated for Brighton i360. Interior spaces will be cooled using natural ventilation, and the toilets will use harvested rainwater and efficient "low-flow" wash basins. The pod sports double-glazed windows and all electricity required for operating the observation tower will come from renewable sources.

The Brighton i360 is scheduled to open in 2016 and the organizers hope to attract at least 700,000 visitors per year, which – according to the Brighton i360 team's figures – could generate around £25 million (around US$42 million) for Brighton per year.

Adam scours the globe from his home in North Wales in order to bring the best of innovative architecture and sustainable design to the pages of Gizmag. Most of his spare time is spent dabbling in music, tinkering with old Macintosh computers and trying to keep his even older VW bus on the road.

What an ugly monstrosity! They could have spent the money rebuilding the burnt down Victorian pier, and perhaps put some novelty 'ride in the air' thing at the end of it......(mini-London eye) ..... and can't wait to see the bar prices.......

JPAR 5th August, 2014 @ 08:31 am PDT

Yeah, but that view on a "clear sunny day"! For those 5 days a year, it'll be well worth all the cost and ugliness!

f8lee 5th August, 2014 @ 09:17 am PDT

"the same basic mechanism that's used in a standard cable car." they mean an electric motor and some gearing/cables. Amazing innovation isn't it?

Shame they couldn't get the shadows on the first picture to agree with each other, why not portray a typical Brighton (cloudy) day?